Verb
/eks.toɾ.siˈnaɾ/
"Extorsionar" is a verb that refers to the act of obtaining money, goods, or services from someone through coercion, threats, or intimidation. It is a term commonly used in legal contexts and criminal discussions in Spanish-speaking countries.
The term is often used in both oral and written contexts, but it is more frequently encountered in legal discussions, news reports, and police records due to its criminal connotation.
Los delincuentes intentaron extorsionar al empresario durante meses.
(The criminals tried to extort the businessman for months.)
La policía arrestó a cinco personas por extorsionar a varios ciudadanos.
(The police arrested five people for extorting several citizens.)
No tengas miedo de denunciar a alguien que intente extorsionar tu negocio.
(Don’t be afraid to report someone who tries to extort your business.)
"Extorsionar" is less common in idiomatic expressions compared to other verbs, but it can still be used in a few phrases related to feeling coerced or threatened. Here are some examples:
Ejemplo: "Ellos miembros de la banda extorsionaron a todos los comerciantes del barrio."
(The gang members extorted all the shopkeepers in the neighborhood.)
"Estar bajo extorsión"
(to be under extortion)
Ejemplo: "Estaba tan asustada que vivió bajo extorsión durante mucho tiempo."
(She was so scared that she lived under extortion for a long time.)
"Extorsión emocional"
(emotional extortion)
The term "extorsionar" derives from the Latin word "extortionare," which combines "ex-" meaning "out of" or "from" and "tortus," which means "twisted" or "wrenched." The evolution of the word reflects the act of "wrenching" something away from someone through coercive means.